The event, which was sponsored by the USA Powerlifting Association, was a qualifying event for the World Masters Championships to be held Oct. 16-21 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. American records can only be set by U.S. citizens, while national records can only be set at the national championships which sometimes include foreign lifters.

For once, everything went according to plan, Rosen said. I knew if I could get down to that bodyweight, I would do well.

Rosen, who already held the age group records in the 132-pound division, dropped down to the 123-pound weight class for this meet. Rosen, who competed in the age 50-older division, spent 10 years at the heavier weight class and still holds the records for the age 45-49 division.

Most lifters tend to go up in weight class, Rosen said, but a new nutrician program for taking him in the opposite direction. Rosens final three-event total of 996 pounds broke the existing record by 76 pounds and was more than eight times his bodyweight. His best individual-event lifts included a squat of 385 pounds, a bench press of 200 and a deadlift of 415.

Since I started eating six small meals each day, my offseason bodyweight has gone down about seven pounds, Rosen said. Most of the year I weigh about 136. That made getting to 123 difficult, but not impossible Since the American and national records were within reach, I decided to go for it. It took me three months to lose the weight, but it was worth it.